@article {1155069,
	title = {Structural basis of the abscess-modulating polysaccharide A2 from Bacteroides fragilis},
	journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A},
	volume = {97},
	year = {2000},
	month = {2000 Dec 05},
	pages = {13478-83},
	abstract = {Zwitterionic capsular polysaccharides from pathogenic bacteria have peculiar immunological properties. They are capable of eliciting T-cell proliferation and modulating the course of abscess formation. To understand the molecular basis of this characteristic immune response, we are conducting detailed structure-function studies on these polysaccharides. We have identified, purified, and characterized an abscess-modulating polysaccharide, PS A2, from the clinical strain Bacteroides fragilis 638R. Here, we report the elucidation of both the chemical and three-dimensional structures of PS A2 by NMR spectroscopy, chemical methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and restrained molecular dynamics calculations. PS A2 consists of a pentasaccharide repeating unit containing mannoheptose, N-acetylmannosamine, 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxyglucose, 2-amino-4-acetamido-2,4,6-trideoxygalactose, fucose, and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid. PS A2 is zwitterionic and carries one cationic free amine and one anionic carboxylate in each repeating unit. It forms an extended right-handed helix with two repeating units per turn and a pitch of 20 A. Positive and negative charges are exposed on the outer surface of the polymer in a regularly spaced pattern, which renders them easily accessible to other molecules. The helix is characterized by repeated large grooves whose lateral boundaries are occupied by the charges. The three-dimensional structure of PS A2 explicitly suggests mechanisms of interaction between zwitterionic polysaccharides and proteins.},
	keywords = {Abscess, Bacteroides fragilis, Carbohydrate Conformation, Carbohydrate Sequence, Molecular Sequence Data, Polysaccharides, Bacterial},
	author = {Wang, Y. and Kalka-Moll, W M and Roehrl, M H and Kasper, D L}
}
